Last season, Spanish newspaper Marca claimed that Liverpool were preparing a 'formal offer' for Porto goal-machine Jackson Martinez, a bid contingent - at that time - on the transfer of Luis Suarez. Since that time, Suarez has left Anfield, and despite the arrival of Mario Balotelli, there's still major room for improvement at the top end of the field. Well, it appears that Martinez is trying engineer a move away, which could be great news for the Reds.
According to reports in Portugal today:
* £40m-rated Martinez wants out of Benfica after growing 'tired' of the Portuguese league.
* The Mexican striker wants to leave during the January transfer window.
LFC have been linked with Martinez many times over last year, and prior to joining Porto, the Colombian striker confirmed Liverpool's interest. He told Nuevo Estadio:
"I am not in any advanced negotiations with Liverpool but I know they are personally interested"
When asked earlier this year about his future, Martinez told El Tiempp:
“That opportunity [to leave] may be given. It would be nice to play for another big team like Porto. I like the England, Italy, Spain and Germany leagues. I have no preference.”
Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - described by Porto boss Julen Lopetegui as a 'miracle' striker - has racked up some formidable creative stats:
* 69 goals/5 assist in 101 appearances.
* Once scored in 10 successive games for Porto.
* At one point, scored 18 goals in 17 games.
* Broke Falcao's record by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for Porto.
Liverpool could've signed Martinez in 2011 for a hell of a lot less than €40m. The Reds were constantly linked with the Colombian striker prior to his move, but as usual, the club just didn't act, and he ended up at Porto for a ridiculously low fee of €11m (!)
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a €50m deal for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, but if the club is going to spend that level of cash on a single player, I'd prefer Martinez (or the ideal: Higuain).
That said, can Martinez and Daniel Sturridge operate effectively in the same team? Both are most effective playing as central strikers, and may be too similar in terms of playing style/runs etc to work together.
It's probably all moot anyway, as Martinez seems to favour a move to Arsenal. In January, he revealed that he 'won't hesitate' to accept a move to Arsenal, adding:
"I cheered for Arsenal when I was a kid – I love their style of play. It’s flowing and open with a lot of first touch passes. It would be suitable for a player like me"
Still, money talks, and if the Reds go in with the right offer, anything is possible.
Author: Jaimie K
According to reports in Portugal today:
* £40m-rated Martinez wants out of Benfica after growing 'tired' of the Portuguese league.
* The Mexican striker wants to leave during the January transfer window.
LFC have been linked with Martinez many times over last year, and prior to joining Porto, the Colombian striker confirmed Liverpool's interest. He told Nuevo Estadio:
"I am not in any advanced negotiations with Liverpool but I know they are personally interested"
When asked earlier this year about his future, Martinez told El Tiempp:
“That opportunity [to leave] may be given. It would be nice to play for another big team like Porto. I like the England, Italy, Spain and Germany leagues. I have no preference.”
Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - described by Porto boss Julen Lopetegui as a 'miracle' striker - has racked up some formidable creative stats:
* 69 goals/5 assist in 101 appearances.
* Once scored in 10 successive games for Porto.
* At one point, scored 18 goals in 17 games.
* Broke Falcao's record by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for Porto.
Liverpool could've signed Martinez in 2011 for a hell of a lot less than €40m. The Reds were constantly linked with the Colombian striker prior to his move, but as usual, the club just didn't act, and he ended up at Porto for a ridiculously low fee of €11m (!)
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a €50m deal for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, but if the club is going to spend that level of cash on a single player, I'd prefer Martinez (or the ideal: Higuain).
That said, can Martinez and Daniel Sturridge operate effectively in the same team? Both are most effective playing as central strikers, and may be too similar in terms of playing style/runs etc to work together.
It's probably all moot anyway, as Martinez seems to favour a move to Arsenal. In January, he revealed that he 'won't hesitate' to accept a move to Arsenal, adding:
"I cheered for Arsenal when I was a kid – I love their style of play. It’s flowing and open with a lot of first touch passes. It would be suitable for a player like me"
Still, money talks, and if the Reds go in with the right offer, anything is possible.
Author: Jaimie K
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